BluesWax
Gogo, David
Skeleton Key |
BluesWax Rating: 7
Reader Rating: 9
A Record Worth Owning, (03/09/06)
 Who is David Gogo? He started playing the Blues on his guitars when
he was a teenager and heard Howlin' Wolf and Son
House. Once he discovered
Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gogo's die was cast. In the past 10 years, Gogo
has released four records. He's a perennial nominee in Canada's Blues
Music Awards, the Maples, including copping Canada's 2005 Blues Guitarist
of the Year. He has opened for the likes of Buddy
Guy, George Thorogood, Jimmy Vaughan, and Roomful
of Blues. And Real Blues magazine named
this record, Skeleton Key, the Blues/Rock CD of the Year. Take it from
me; this is one record worth owning.
Gogo divides the record between his catchy originals and obscure
covers. "Just Ask Jesse James," a Gogo original, opens the
record with Blues Rock at its best. Here Gogo distinguishes himself
as not only a fiery guitarist, but also as a world-class slide player.
Other originals include the title cut, which explores the R&B side
of the street; "Stay Away From Me," which has a Willie
Dixon groove; "I Can Still Hear You Crying," which
is a slow Blues grinder; and "Things Are About To Change," which
is Chicago Blues shuffling at its finest. Covers include a flyin' Albert
Collins' "Backstroke" and
a very different, Gospel-like testify on Stevie
Wonder's "Signed, Sealed
and Delivered."
There is also Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus," done Blues
Rock style. When Gogo reprises "Reap What You Sow" from the
old Butterfield band, he shows that he is as soulful a singer as he
is a guitarist. That same vocal conviction closes the CD on Curtis
Mayfield's "Fool For You," where the touches of piano and
choir in the chorus invoke the requisite spirit.
Because music does not stop at any border, American music lovers
should travel over that arbitrary line on maps and, in this case, discover
a very talented and devoted lover of American Blues.
Art Tipaldi is a senior contributing editor of BluesWax
© 2006 BluesWax. All Rights Reserved.
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